Thomas J. Higgins

Thomas John Higgins, age 84, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2015, surrounded by members of his large family and his loving wife, Catherine Theresa Higgins. Thomas was born in Brooklyn on April 16, 1931, the youngest of six children. He served in the Army during the Korean conflict.Thomas met his lovely wife, Catherine nee Gallagher, at Greenwood Lake, New Jersey, which was a popular vacation spot for New Yorkers in the 1950s. Thomas and Catherine were married at Saint Monica's Church on the Upper Eastside of New York on February 1, 1958, and they had their first child, Maureen Higgins Vitalone (currently of Parsippany), in 1959. More children followed-many more, as they were blessed with a large family of eight: Thomas Patrick Higgins (of Montclair, wife Lisa Verge Higgins); Patricia Ann Mefford (of Butler, husband Scott Mefford); Tara Mary Shinnick (of Clifton, Virgina, husband Stephen Shinnick); William Francis Higgins (of Butler, wife Jennifer Higgins); Carol Ann Peles (of Rockaway, husband Matthew Peles); Christopher Patrick Higgins (of Butler, wife Kim Higgins); and Brian Michael Higgins (of Mahwah, fianc Suzanne Bradbury Dreyer). They lost one child at birth, a daughter named Mary Catherine, in 1967.Thomas and Catherine moved from New York City as their family grew, and lived for many years in Wayne. They moved to Kinnelon in 2009. Thomas worked as a sales representative for Berlin & Jones Co., a manufacturer of commercial envelopes, but then started his own company, Enveloproducts Corp. of Prospect Park, New Jersey, in the late 1970s. His entrepreneurial spirit and knowledge of printing and paper products has been passed down to three of his sons, who have their own successful printing business.Thomas contemplated a career in law at St. John's University, before starting his business career. But his interest in law was continued by three of his children, as two are attorneys and one is a paralegal. His other two children are in the medical field, one a registered nurse and the other a health care provider to the elderly.Thomas is survived by his wife and eight children, and also by the fifteen young people who brought such joy to him during his life, his grandchildren. His grandkids called him Bampy, and they are Caitlin A. Higgins, Molly F. Higgins, Casey T. Mefford, Sean W. Mefford, Maeve E. Higgins, Claire E. Shinnick, Emma C. Shinnick, Allison C. Higgins, Gabriella K. Higgins, Stephen Shinnick, Sarah O. Higgins, Daniel T. Shinnick, David S. Higgins, Matthew T. Higgins, and James M. Peles. Thomas loved all his grandchildren, and all his children, dearly. They all loved him, and will miss him terribly.May Thomas John Higgins rest eternally in joy and peace, in the place prepared for him by his Savior Jesus Christ, where God wipes all tears from the eyes of the faithful departed.Viewing hours will be Wednesday, October 21, 2015 from 7:00 to 9:00pm at The Morrison Funeral Home, 86 Bartholdi Avenue, Butler, NJ. A funeral Mass will be held Thursday 10am at St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, Butler, NJ. Burial to follow in Christ the King Cemetery, Franklin Lakes. SERVICES Visitation Wednesday, October 21, 2015 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM The Morrison Funeral Home 86 Bartholdi ave. Butler, New Jersey 07405 Mass Thursday, October 22, 2015 10:00 AM St. Anthony RC Church 65 Bartholdi Ave Butler, NJ 07405 Burial Thursday, October 22, 2015 11:15 AM Christ The King Cemetery 980 Huron Ave Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417